Ration Book, World War II

During World War II, ration coupons, issued to individuals in book format, specified what and how much people could purchase of items in limited supply because of the war. Cooking oil, coffee, automobile gasoline, and sugar were among rationed items.

Courtesy Olga Robinson

Home Demonstration Club, circa 1940

Women on the homefront in Fairfax during World War II coped with shortages of wartime. Through monthly meetings at Home Demonstration Clubs, they worked together to plant victory gardens and to learn how to use and preserve food and clothing.

Photograph from Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia Room, Photographic Archive

Fairview Elementary School, World War II Stamp Drive

During World War II, elementary school children in the Braddock District joined in home front support of the war. Children would buy stamps, put them in books, and trade in each completed book for a war bond to help the war effort.

V-Mail Letter from Bill Sheads to his wife, Doris

During World War II, soldiers overseas sent letters home by V-mail. V-mail letters folded into their own envelopes and saved valuable shipping space for war materials. During the war, Delbert [Bill] Sheads wrote to his bride, Doris Hollis, who worked at Fort Belvoir as a typist and secretary while her husband fought in the European Theatre.

Courtesy Delbert [Bill] Sheads

Bill Sheads, Germany, World War II, 1944

Drafted at the age of 19, Delbert [Bill] Sheeds was shipped to Europe, landing in France after D-Day in June 1944, and moving through France, Belgium and into Germany within 20 miles of Berlin.

Courtesy Delbert [Bill] Sheads

Tornado Damage, Woodson High School, 1973

On April 1, 1973, an F-3 strength tornado swept through Fairfax County. Teacher Trudy Todd stands in her roofless classroom at Woodson High School. The federal government declared the county eligible for disaster assistance and damages to the county were estimated at about $14 million.

Courtesy Safety and Security Office, Fairfax County Public Schools

Tornado Debris, 1973

On April 1, 1973, an F-3 strength tornado tore through Fairfax County, leaving an estimated $14 million in damages and making the county eligible for federal disaster assistance. Winds were estimated at 125 miles per hour. Woodson High School was particularly hard hit, as shown by debris collected on the athletic field.

Courtesy Safety and Security Office, Fairfax County Public Schools

Fairfax County Police, 1941

Fairfax County Police Department, June 1941. Left to right. Front row: Det. Sgt. Henry Magarity, Alton Poole, Chief Carl McIntosh, Sgt. Lewis Finks, James Mahoney. Second row: Joseph Howard, Willard Mohler, Paul Dove, Grafton Wells. Third row: James "Willie" Maley, Richard Utz, George Berry, James Thomas. Fourth row: James Dodson, Augustine Collins, Cecil Brown, not named. Back row: James Revercomb. The Fairfax County Police Department was organized from the Sheriff's Office on July 1, 1940 to serve an area of approximately 400 square miles. Police pictured on the first row served as first officers and chief from the time the department was organized.

Courtesy Lee Hubbard

Burke Volunteer Fire Department, "Old Red" Firetruck

May Caudle, wife of an early Burke Volunteer Fire Deparment chief climbs "Old Red." The used 1930 Ford cost $500; it was the first fire truck owned by the Burke Volunteer Fire Department (VFD), established in 1948.

Photograph from Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia Room, Photographic Archive

Blizzard, 1970

Fairfax County is sometimes blanketed by snowstorms that shut down the community until snowplows can reach into the neighborhoods. In 1970, snow covered streets that became impassable, complicating commuting to work and school.

Courtesy Herb Beard